Improvement in fire-extinguishers



c. A. cox;

Fire-Extinguishers. No. 137,895. PateritedApril15,18 73.

Wflmcssss. INvENTElR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

cRITT A. COX, OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS HIs'RIeHT To E. M. GARDNER, OF BEDFORD, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,895, dated April 15, 1873; application filed December 14, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRITT A. 00X, of J efiersonville, county of Clark and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguisher, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention relates to the construction of a fire-extinguisher in which an acid and alkaline solution are used and thrown upon the fire by the expansive force of the gases generated by their chemical union, and consists in a diaphragm placed across the top of the mixing-chamber soas to prevent the mixing of the liquids which may be splashed up into the chamber during transportation; in attaching the hose to the mixing-chamber at the point where the two liquids meet, and where the pressure is greatest; and in making the machine reversible, so that the three chambers may be connected together by tubes without stop-cocks, all of which will be more fully set forth hereafter.

Figure 1 represents a section of my invention, and Fig. 2 a cross-section of the mixingchamber, showing the diaphragm.

A A represent two chambers, made of any non-corrosive material, and provided with the openings G G, through which they are filled with the acids or alkalies. Secured to these two chambers by means of the tubes 0 G is a mixing-chamber, which is divided by a diaphragm, E, into two divisions, D D. This diaphragm is secured to the upper part of the mixing-chamber so as to extend downward about half-way, and serves to prevent the union of the two liquids that may splash up from their respective chambers during transportation to the fire, and the consequent generation of gas before it is wanted. Extending up into each chamber A A is a small airtube, B B, which allows the gas to escape upward so as to not interfere with the descend, in g current of alkali or acid through the tubes 0 0. As the acid and alkali meet at the center of the mixing-chamber, the gas which projects the liquid upon the fire is generated, and

the pressure being greatest at this point, I

attach my hose to the coupling F, and am thereby enabled to throw a heavier stream to a greater distance than if I attach it-at some other point. When not wanted for active service the machine is reversed and stood upon its end, so that the acid will be in one chamber and the alkali in the other. There being no danger of the two mixing before it is desired, while thus reversed, I do away with all necessity for a stop-cock in each tube, as is generally the case. Thus it will be noticed that there is not a single stop-cock about the machine, with the exception of the one in the hose, to get out of order and leak and cause accidents or trouble. By dispensing. with these stop-cocks the machine is not only sim pier and cheaper, but more readily and easily used.

These machines can be made small enough to be strapped upon a mans back, or large enough to be placed upon wheels and used as a regular fire-engine.

Diaphragms have heretofore been used for the purpose of separating the two liquids in the holding-chamber, but have never been used in the mixing-chamber for the purpose of preventing the union of the two before the desired time. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is- A 1. The two holding-chambers A A, in combination with the mixing-chamber D, when provided with the diaphragm E, the parts ibeing arranged to operate substantially as set orth.

2. The combination of the chambers A A D D, air-tubes B B, tubes 0 O, diaphragm E, and coupling F, when all are combined to operate substantially as shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I hereunto affix my signature this 11th day of December, 1872.

UBITT A. COX. Witnesses:

JAMEs M. MOORE, UHARLESJ). ScHELL. 

